Universal Credit Calculator 2025/26
Estimate your monthly Universal Credit payment. Enter your circumstances to see your standard allowance, elements, work deductions, and estimated total.
Universal Credit Rates 2025/26
Universal Credit payments are made up of a standard allowance plus additional elements for children, housing, disabilities, and caring. The rates below apply from April 2025 following the annual uprating.
Standard Allowance (Monthly)
| Claimant Type | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Single, under 25 | £311.68 |
| Single, 25 or over | £393.45 |
| Couple, both under 25 | £489.23 |
| Couple, one or both 25 or over | £617.60 |
Child Elements (Monthly)
| Element | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| First child (born before 6 April 2017) | £333.33 |
| First child (born on or after 6 April 2017) or second child | £287.92 |
| Disabled child — lower rate | £156.11 |
| Disabled child — higher rate | £487.58 |
Other Elements (Monthly)
| Element | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) | £416.19 |
| Carer element | £198.31 |
How Universal Credit Is Calculated
Your Universal Credit payment is calculated by adding together all the elements you are entitled to, then subtracting any deductions for income, savings above £6,000, and any money you owe the DWP. The maximum award is what you would receive with no income or savings deductions.
The Earnings Taper
Universal Credit is reduced as your earnings increase. For every £1 you earn above your work allowance, your Universal Credit reduces by 55p. This is called the taper rate. It means that working more always leaves you better off financially — you keep 45p of every extra pound you earn.
The work allowance is the amount you can earn before the taper kicks in. In 2025/26 the higher work allowance is £673 per month if you do not receive a housing element, and the lower work allowance is £404 per month if you do receive a housing element. You only get a work allowance if you are responsible for a child or have limited capability for work.
Savings and Capital
Savings between £6,000 and £16,000 reduce your Universal Credit by £4.35 per month for each £250 (or part of £250) above £6,000. This is called the tariff income rule. Savings above £16,000 mean you are not entitled to Universal Credit at all.
Housing Costs Element
If you rent your home, Universal Credit can include a housing costs element to help pay your rent. The amount is based on Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates in your area and the number of bedrooms you are entitled to — not necessarily your actual rent. If your rent exceeds the LHA cap for your area, you will need to make up the shortfall yourself.
The Two-Child Limit
Universal Credit includes a child element for the first two children only in most cases. Children born on or after 6 April 2017 who are the third or subsequent child do not generate an additional child element unless an exception applies. Exceptions include multiple births (twins, triplets) and children born as a result of rape.
Advance Payments
Because Universal Credit has a five-week initial wait, you can apply for an advance payment to cover the period before your first payment arrives. Advance payments are interest-free loans repaid from future Universal Credit payments, typically over 24 months. You can request an advance online through your Universal Credit journal or at your local Jobcentre Plus.